Author: Blair Frodelius
Online Baum Bugle Archive Expands!
The editors of The Baum Bugle are pleased to announce the debut of thirty-one archival articles on our website, stretching from issues published in 1970 to 2021, including research features, interviews, reviews, analyses, personal remembrances, and more. The original text of each article is published with permission of its original author or their estate. Access to these articles is exclusive for current members of the International Wizard of Oz Club who are logged in to our website, Ozclub.org. “We’re extremely gratified and pleased to be able to bring these works to our members,” said editor-in-chief Sarah Crotzer. “We began our program to digitize and preserve our back issue material in 2024, and we’re particularly delighted to now feature a variety of foundational writings from the 1970s and ’80s, some of which can no longer be easily found in printed form. For researchers, scholars, and the intellectually curious fans coming to the world of Oz through Wicked, these articles are a vital link to both our Club history and the progress of studies in classic American literature and culture. They are interesting, smart, compelling, and most importantly, a great read.” All the new articles are accessible through The Bugle > Past Issues sub-menu on the Ozclub.org website. However, links to the articles are organized by topic below for easy availability: ARTICLES ABOUT L. FRANK BAUM Winter 1977: “L. Frank Baum: Success and Frustration” by Peter E. Hanff (https://ozclub.org/l-frank-baum-success-and-frustration-by-peter-e-hanff/) Winter 1991: “Cyclic Mysteries: Parallel Tracks in the Detective Fiction of L. Frank Baum and Arthur Conan Doyle” by Richard R. Rutter (https://ozclub.org/cyclic-mysteries-by-richard-r-rutter/) Winter 1998: “The Great City of Oz: L. Frank Baum at the 1893 World’s Fair” by Michael Riley (https://ozclub.org/the-great-city-of-oz-l-frank-baum-at-the-1893-worlds-fair-by-michael-riley/) Autumn 2019: “‘The Maker of Fairies is Dead’: America Responds to the Death of L. Frank Baum” by Scott Cummings (https://ozclub.org/the-maker-of-fairies-is-dead-by-scott-cummings/) ARTICLES ABOUT OTHER INDIVIDUALS Spring 1993: “The Rainbow’s Son” by Patty Tobias (https://ozclub.org/the-rainbows-son-by-patty-tobias/) Autumn 1993: “Tales of the Wizard” by Patty Tobias (https://ozclub.org/tales-of-the-wizard-by-patty-tobias/) Spring 1995: “If Ever a Wiz There Was” by Ruth Berman (https://ozclub.org/if-ever-a-wiz-there-was-by-ruth-berman/) Autumn 2001: “Early Morning Musings: Writing The Hidden Prince of Oz” by Gina Wickwar (https://ozclub.org/early-morning-musings-by-gina-wickwar/) Spring 2020: “Mary Dickerson Donahey: Almost Royal Historian of Oz” by Anil Tambwekar (https://ozclub.org/mary-dickerson-donahey-almost-royal-historian-of-oz-by-anil-tambwekar/) Spring 2021: “Bucketheads and Tails: The Legacy of Chris Dulabone” by Atticus Gannaway (https://ozclub.org/bucketheads-tails-by-atticus-gannaway/) ARTICLES ABOUT THE CANONICAL OZ BOOKS Winter 1977: “The Tribulations of Trot” by Barbara S. Koelle (https://ozclub.org/the-tribulations-of-trot-by-barbara-s-koelle/) Autumn 1982: “Lurline’s Source” by Ruth Berman (https://ozclub.org/lurlines-source-by-ruth-berman/) Spring 1983: “Baum’s Dragons” by Camilla Townsend (https://ozclub.org/baums-dragons-by-camilla-townsend/) Winter 1989: “More Dragons of Oz” by Ruth Berman (https://ozclub.org/more-dragons-of-oz-by-ruth-berman/) Spring 1991: “Establishing Ozian Geography” by Jim Vander Noot (https://ozclub.org/establishing-ozian-geography-by-jim-vander-noot/) Winter 1994: “The Skies of Enchantment” by Barbara S. Koelle (https://ozclub.org/the-skies-of-enchantment-by-barbara-s-koelle/) Fall 1996: “Christmas in Oz” by Patricia Eliot Tobias (https://ozclub.org/christmas-in-oz-by-patricia-eliot-tobias/) Autumn 2010: “Buccaneers, Bandits, and Bad Guys in the Oz Books” by Barbara S. Koelle (https://ozclub.org/buccaneers-bandits-and-bad-guys-in-the-oz-books-by-barbara-s-koelle/) Autumn 2011: “Mermaids of Oz” by Ruth Berman (https://ozclub.org/mermaids-of-oz-by-ruth-berman/) ARTICLES ABOUT STAGE AND FILM ADAPTATIONS Christmas 1970: “The Fairylogue and Radio-Plays of L. Frank Baum” (https://ozclub.org/the-fairylogue-and-radio-plays-of-l-frank-baum-by-richard-a-mills/) Spring 1979: “Oz in America, or A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Emerald City” by Barbara S. Koelle (https://ozclub.org/oz-in-america-or-a-funny-thing-happened-on-the-way-to-the-emerald-city-by-barbara-s-koelle/) Spring 1989: “Stage Wizard Kicks Off National Tour at Radio City Music Hall” by Barbara Arnstein (https://ozclub.org/stage-wizard-kicks-off/) Spring 1993: “An Interview with Paul Taylor” by Barbara Arnstein (https://ozclub.org/an-interview-with-paul-taylor-by-barbara-arnstein/) Spring 1993: “‘Oz’ Ballet review” by Patricia Tobias (https://ozclub.org/oz-ballet-review-by-patty-tobias/) Winter 1998: “The (Samuel) French Connection: The Junior League Plays Plus” by Stephen J. Teller (https://ozclub.org/the-samuel-french-connection-by-stephen-j-teller/) Autumn 2020: “There Must Have Been Some Magic Words: Novelizations of Return to Oz” by Nick Campbell (https://ozclub.org/there-must-have-been-some-magic-words-by-nick-campbell/) ARTICLES ABOUT THE CULTURAL INFLUENCE OF OZ Spring 1989: “After The Wizard: The Influence of America’s Best-Loved Fairy Tales on Other Fantasies for Children” by Barbara S. Koelle (https://ozclub.org/after-the-wizard-by-barbara-s-koelle/) Spring 1989: “The Other Oz: Oz Apocrypha Beyond the Forty Books” by Stephen J. Teller (https://ozclub.org/the-other-oz-by-stephen-j-teller/) Spring 1997: “Through History with The Wizard of Oz” by Carl Rexroad (https://ozclub.org/through-history-with-the-wizard-of-oz-by-carl-rexroad/) Autumn 2000: “Oz Editorial Cartoons Revisited” by Carl Rexroad (https://ozclub.org/oz-editorial-cartoons-revisited-by-carl-rexroad/) Spring 2019: “A Tea Party for Oz” by Scott Cummings (https://ozclub.org/a-tea-party-for-oz-by-scott-cummings/)
Offshoots from the Yellow Brick Road
During meals and breaks at the Oz Club’s national convention this summer in East Aurora, New York, several conversations ended up being about topics other than Oz. Surprised? I’m not. In a weekend packed with fascinating programming on the art and artists of the Oz books, Oz collecting, and Oz around the world, it is possible that we all just need an occasional break from Oz. But there may be something else going on. While listening to several Club members describe their other interests, I noticed connections back to their passion for Oz. That’s certainly true for me, too. Some time in the late 1990s, I attended a talk by an expert on the American Arts and Crafts movement who spoke about the Roycroft artisans of East Aurora. I spotted a familiar seahorse in the corner of an overhead image even before he mentioned the name of famous Roycrofter W. W. Denslow. That presentation ignited in me an appreciation for the craftsman style. A growing passion in the coming decades for bungalows, the architectural masterworks of Frank Lloyd Wright, furniture of Gustav Stickley, and book designs of Dard Hunter, connects back to a love of Denslow’s charming illustrations and layout for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. While being led on a tour down the Midway Plaisance in Chicago during the summer of 2003, a thought popped into my head about L. Frank Baum’s visit to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, held in and around that city park. Was I walking in his footsteps? I imagined what he may have seen along the mile-long stretch—now mostly grass but then packed with international villages, entertainment venues, cafes, and a giant Ferris Wheel. Soon after, I devoured Eric Larson’s newly released The Devil in the White City and once again found myself drifting down a fascinating pathway off the Yellow Brick Road. Plunging deeper and deeper into the history of the 1893 World’s Fair (including some interesting connections to Baum and Denslow) in the two decades since, I’ve never lost sight of the trailhead back near the Emerald City. Other friends—old and new—with whom I chatted at the Oz convention this summer talked about interests ranging from Marvel comics to musical theater to book restoration to youth outreach. For three days, presenters shared their astounding knowledge about Oz and Baum and Denslow and so much more. But equally enriching were the casual conversations among attendees about our myriad other interests. Look closely and a footpath leading back to Oz peaks through. Scott Cummings IWOC Board of Directors, 2019–22
Make Your Own Oz Treasure at the National Convention!
Our national convention is only one month away; don’t delay! If you haven’t registered yet, there is still room in the printing and book arts classes. In the printmaking class, you will print and illuminate your own Oz treasure, and even learn to apply gold leaf! In the book arts class, you will bind and illuminate a special limited edition booklet only available to class attendees! Register here: /oz-the-national-convention-2022…/ Please note: Hotel blocks are full; if you haven’t yet made reservations, try AirBnB, VRBO, or hotels in nearby Buffalo.
The Great Oz Knows Why You’ve Come!
Got a question about Ozzy books, art or music in your collection? Bring it to the Ask, Show and Tell Panel during the National Oz Convention this summer to show it off and have Oz experts answer your questions! For more information go to /event/2022-national-convention/
Register for Painting, Printmaking Classes & Lunch Tour at 2022 National Convention!
Did you receive your Spring Baum Bugle? Don’t wait to fill out the Convention reg form, or register online at /oz-the-national-convention-2022…/ Optional classes in painting, printmaking and the Fournier House lunch tour are filling up fast!
David Moyer Memorial by Michael Patrick Hearn
David Moyer would have been the first to admit that he was an incurable ham. He loved to perform. It did not matter whether it was with the little theater in Syracuse, Off Off Broadway, summer stock, considerable film extra work or amateur productions around the country. He greatly enjoyed acting and giving public lectures. He was a natural teacher, but he early chose the stage over the schoolroom. Of course he never could quit his mundane day job until he was forced to retire. What did he consider the worst thing about acting? Working with puppets and waiting in vain for them “to feed me my line.” He really flourished in retirement when he could fully explore his many interests. Two of his top passions were Egypt and Oz. He was not a trained professional Egyptologist, but he knew as much about the Middle Kingdom as any of them. He was largely self-taught and constantly learning. He kept a vast reference library on Ancient Egypt that included a wealth of color photographs he took while conducting tours of Egypt. He drew on them for the college course he taught in his later years. Documentarians often turned to him for visual material for their TV programs. He was especially proud of his brilliant monthly column for “Kemit,” the scholarly magazine devoted to Ancient Egypt. On one of his many trips to Egypt, he made a mistake one should never do. While climbing one of the pyramids, he foolishly looked down and he froze. He just sat down out of fear. With considerable difficulty, the other guides were able to get him to climb back down. David was a very active member of The International Wizard of Oz Club, Inc and amassed an impressive Oz collection. He loved the Oz Books from the time he was a little boy as well as the famous movie. A great dog lover, he was also an avid fan of the dog stories by Albert Payson Terhune. At one time he collected all sorts of Gone With The Wind memorabilia. He not merely attended but frequently contributed in a variety of ways to the various Oz conventions sponsored by the club and often wrote them up. He was deeply touched when he received The L. Frank Baum Memorial Award. He was particularly fond of the Chittenango Oz meetings because attending them gave him the opportunity not only to visit dear friends like Clara Houck and Cynthia Baum Tassini but also to check up on his hometown Phoenix. David was also a skillful amateur genealogist. We went on several primary research trips in pursuit of local public records throughout New York State. I looked up the Baums while Dave looked up his own family. Any tidbit about the Moyers was of vital importance to him. When David combined Oz and Egypt, it was truly magical. He gave one of the finest presentations on L. Frank Baum I have ever seen. Taking the actual photographs Baum took on the trip he and his wife Maud took to Egypt in 1906, David visually reconstructed that tour by juxtaposing the pictures great-grandson Bob Baum provided him with ones David himself took at the very same spots today. He continued to hone the presentation over the years until it became a highly polished sophisticated and entertaining talk. It is a shame it was never recorded. David’s Holy Grail was the 1914 silent movie “The Last Egyptian” that the Oz Film Manufactuting Company made based on Baum’s obscure anonymous novel. When I learned that the only surviving copy was housed at the Museum of Modern Art, I arranged a private screening for the two of us. It was missing the first and final reels and was in an advanced state of decomposition, but there was enough left to give a good idea of the complete motion picture. David was in Heaven; and he pointed out things I would never have noticed if not for him. Charles Silver the curator kindly ran it twice for us so we could really study it. Everyone who met David Moyer knew what a gentleman he was. He was kind, considerate, generous and also volunteered whenever someone needed help. I benefited immeasurably from little kindnesses over the years from his shooting slides for my lectures to traveling with him to various Oz Conventions all over the United States. I remember well the time we brought as a surprise actress Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 picture, to one of the Munchkin Conventions. Dave and Maggie had the best time talking about the theater and the movies on the train to and from Philadelphia. It will be hard to attend them now without him. Goodbye, dear friend.
One Room Left at the Historic Fournier House for the 2022 National Oz Convention
If you’re coming to the 2022 convention, there is one room available in the historic Fournier House beside the Roycroft Campus. It’s filled with antique furniture, books and paintings but has a shared bathroom, so is a little less expensive that the other hotel options. Please contact Cindy Ragni at cindyragni@gmail.com
Get Woozy at Roycroft This Summer at The IWOC National Convention!
At the August convention, you’ll also have a chance to print your own souvenir at the Roycroft Print Shop, using an original Woozy printing plate! Limited availability, and the Sunday morning class is filling up fast. /event/2022-national-convention/
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